Can a Keto Diet Lower Blood Pressure?

Among the various common health problems we face, is the unstable Blood Pressure (BP in common parlance) levels. The blood pressure levels on either side of the continuum, higher or lower make you prone to cardiovascular diseases and increase your chances of heart attacks and brain hemorrhage. It’s also an indicator of kidney failure risks. High blood pressure is an indicator of serious problems related to your vital organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys. It’s very important to know how to manage high blood pressure. Before learning what high blood pressure means, you should know what is Blood Pressure? You also have a question: will Keto diet lower blood pressure?

What is Blood Pressure?

As your heart beats, it pumps the blood throughout our body to provide it the required oxygen and energy. As the blood is pumped, it runs through the blood vessels and is pushed to the walls of the blood vessels, which creates pressure in the vessels. The intensity of this pressure makes up your blood pressure. This blood pressure, if too high, puts a higher strain on your blood vessels, which may then lead to heart attacks, hemorrhages, or kidney issues. The blood pressure is measured using a device called a sphygmomanometer. The blood pressure is measured on two parameters, the systole, and the diastole. Systole is the blood pressure when your heart beats and the diastole is the blood pressure when your heart relaxes between the adjacent beats. It’s denoted as Systole/Diastole.

Why is stable Blood Pressure Important?

Blood Pressure (BP) is a crucial indicator of your risk of developing cardiovascular maladies and overall health. If you have hypertension, which is a BP over 140/90 mmHg, it is imperative to make an arrangement with your specialist to treat it. Also, keeping up BP at or beneath 120/80 mmHg is the perfect precursor for ideal wellbeing. Otherwise, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, strokes, and chronic kidney conditions.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Too Much Salt! (Sodium)

Sodium is an essential mineral, your body requires. Sodium works with potassium to balance your blood and fluid levels. Under normal circumstances, your kidney helps you lose extra fluids through excretion. When you have too much sodium and less potassium, your body tends to hold more water, creating higher blood pressure levels. This extra stored water puts a strain on your brain, arteries, heart, and kidneys.

Stress

High-stress levels activate your sympathetic nervous system. Your SNS, in turn, increases your blood pressure and may result in chronic heart diseases. To minimize your stress you should keep yourself busy with productive activities and do things that you like. You should be more cautious about the increasing stress levels when you have high blood pressure. Stress will only make things worse.

High levels of Insulin

High levels of Insulin have a direct impact on your blood pressure. Insulin increases the reabsorption of sodium and also turns on your SNS. The reabsorption of more sodium will result in holding more water and thus lead to hypertension,

The sodium then increases blood pressure.

Nicotine

Nicotine present in cigarettes causes an increased heart rate and blood pressure levels. Smoking should be avoided in all cases, especially when you have blood pressure issues. Nicotine is addictive for many reasons and one being that it has an effect on your nervous and vascular system. Nicotine is found in almost all cigarettes. You should avoid smoking, especially when you have blood pressure problems.

Obesity and Old age

The deposition of fats on the inside walls of arteries, in obese persons and constriction of arteries due to old age tend to lower the diameter of the arteries, which eventually leads to high blood pressure. The heart pumps the blood with the same intensity but due to the low diameter of arteries, the blood pressure rises and increases the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney conditions in old aged and obese. Shedding some of your kilos will definitely help.

Keto Diet and High Blood Pressure; A Possible Way to Lower Your High Blood Pressure Levels

A good solution for most may be the change in their dietary lifestyle. The diet has an effect on everything related to your health. Most people have claimed stabilization of their blood pressure levels, on a Keto Diet. And many have seriously reversed their adverse Blood Pressure levels. A Ketogenic Diet is a low-carb, moderate protein, and high-fat diet. Not to mention that the fats you take on a keto diet are healthy fats. Keto and low-carb diets help you choose the right food based on your body requirements.

The Ketogenic Diet is a successful instrument in overseeing hypertension. Cutting carbs might be a compelling device in overseeing hypertension and prehypertension. All the more explicitly:

•    A Keto diet is more successful than higher-carbohydrate options in decreasing BP. A ketogenic diet doesn’t only help you lose weight but also helps you with other health parameters like Diabetes Type II, PCOD, Blood Pressure management, skin and hair care, and more.

•    A Ketogenic Mediterranean diet high in healthy fats, fish, and vegetables might be good, especially in battling BP.

•    A low-fat diet helps you cut down on sugars. By following a diet low in sugars will help you automatically cut down your insulin levels. These lower insulin levels help you bring your blood pressure down by

Will Keto Diet Lower Blood Pressure?

A healthy Keto diet not only keeps your insulin levels in check, but it helps you avoid certain foods that have a tendency to increase your blood pressure levels. The risk for hypertension (or high Blood Pressure) is also reduced on a Keto diet by avoiding unhealthy foods like the ones containing high fructose content and other refined carbohydrates.  A Keto diet is now much easier to follow, with brands that are offering a wide range of products. These products not only help you stay on a keto but also feed your cravings.

The Bottom line is: “The Keto low Blood Pressure is only achieved If you are keen on decreasing carbs in your diet to battle hypertension or keep up a healthy BP, consult your doctor/ dietician as well.”